How much truth to Thailand's bad reputation?

[abrahamzvi]

However, on some occasions and in some places I have definitely felt a resentment and unfriendliness towards me, which took me by surprise since I travel in Asia and have never experienced this in other countries.

In addition Thailand was the place where I felt like everyone is trying to rip me off cutthroat because I'm just another stupid farang.So my overall opinion about Thailand is extremely ambivalent.

Where abouts in Thailand were you ?

I've experienced this in different places, once by a girl selling chicken in Chiang Mai, another time in Phuket when I just wanted to sit down at for a beer at a girlie bar,

another time at a hotel in Bangkok. Travelling throughout Southern Thailand literally everywhere the price wasn't displayed they tried to overcharge me to pay 2-10 times what the local price was. The rudeness was relatively rare, but it did happen and not once, and these people were downright rude to me for no reason. If you add all my trips together I've probably spent a month in Thailand and clearly recall three seperate instances of suprising rudeness, in contrast I've spent over a year and a half in Cambodia and cannot recall a single instance.

Others tell me the same. A guy who lived in Chiang Mai for 5 years and speaks Thai just told me he no longer speaks Thai when he goes there, because he feels the Thais resent him speaking their language. Another guy I met, just left Thailand because the police harrassment targeting foreigners in downtown Bangkok, making them take public urine test etc, was the last straw for him.

What you are saying is certainly highly exaggerated and mostly incorrect. I have been living in Chiang Mai for 6 years and I would be a liar if I said that anybody here, including Police and Immigration, have been rude or arrogant to me. I have always been treated in a proper manner. I can hardly speak for Phuket, as I have only spent a week or so there in the last 2 years, but I have never had any difficulties in Bangkok, where I am quite often. It is true that particularly in Bangkok if one is taken for a tourist, prices are by far higher than for Thais, but as soon as one speaks Thai the prices drop to "a Thai price". But isn't it like this in most tourists areas worldwide, particularly in Mideastern and Asian countries?

Overall, I really believe that provided we foreigners (or to be more polite, or socially correct "Expatriates") are welcome here in Thailand, PROVIDED we show Thais the respect due to them and their culture. Quite frankly, looking around in Chiang Mai and some other locations, like Khon Kaen, Roiet, Pattaya and others, some of us, expatriates behave and appear in a way they wouldn't dare doing at home. No wonder then that such expatriates are not always treated as welcome...and unfortunately it does happen that in some smaller towns they seem to present a picture of all "Farangs", which is natural. Let us not forget, outside our own countries, all of us are ambassadors of our culture and countries as a whole.

[pmarlowe]

I am in my eleventh year CONTINUOUS living in Thailand. American, married legally and proudly to good Thai woman.

I discount immediately:

-grumpy Brits/Aussies burned out alcoholics.

-people who drop in and become instant expurts.

-men who were too ignorant to evaluate relationships early on.

-kneejerk opinions that take standards somewhere else and falsely and ignorantly apply them to Thailand.

Beyond that, OF COURSE, Thailand has changed, got Internet, etc. Too many people have formulated an idealized paradise image of Thailand as a place where they can come and be excused of any behavior and be coddled by friendly Thai people who will drag their drunken bodies from under the palm tree near the beach on to their homes and leave their wallets in their pants. This overly idealized image draws foreigners to come to what they think is a land of no responsibilities nor consequences for their dumb foreigner activities and attitudes.

If Thailand were ever that, it is not now. Now foreigners are expected to BEHAVE and pay fair prices instead of walking off with poverty level purchases. So you can expect foreigners to slag on Thailand from their persona thoughtlessl disappointments.

Heck, I resent foreigners here because they are such cultural imperialist snobs related to Thai. I saw the resentment of tourists in Hawaii from people working three crap jobs keeping the hotel pool clean and mopping up vomit. Thai must feel the same sometimes... I think everyone would.

To the questioner, I say, stay in Cambodia and pollute that place with your off balance attitudes. Your type just mucks up a great living situation we who live here and like it as it is and as it evolves realistically.

This is the good balanced response in my view for someone who lives and works in Thailand as I have the past 7 years. I have lived and worked on every continent other than South America for the past 40 years and so can make comparisons. On the smaller daily scale, the malcontents are usually those mentioned above. If you are friendly, adaptable and can bring your chi down when things don't go your way, you'll find this a great place to live. On the macro scale you will find nationalism, ultra haters and stupid politics in every other country in the world. So depending on who YOU are, the post above gives good guidance.

I forgot to mention it makes good sense to become street savvy wherever you choose to live. Thailand has is share of scammers and dangerous types but you can avoid most of them if you listen, learn and practice being alert.

[bobthomas]

As stated above, it depends where you are in Thailand. Small town are still a good bet, However, tourist places (Pattaya, Phuket, etc) often have young Thai staff that are sick of Farangs and their loud, incoherent and abusive behavior. That said, there has also been a general trend for young Thais to stray from their traditional cultural behavior, thus they are more apt to act outwardly disrespectful than perhaps they would have a decade ago.

Then there are the bargirls....arg! Many of which had to struggle for an existence on the Korat and after they reach the promised land and meet up with clueless Farangs that float them a house and car within a few days...these woman can go bonkers.

Middle class Thais are easy to get along with depending on the way you carry yourself.

High class Thais often have a disdain for us but they hid it extremely well.

My advice to the OP wold be: If you are living in a penal colony or some equally miserable place, by all means head immediately to Thailand. If however you are in Cambodia, by all means DO NOT come to Thailand. It will be a step down in every way, and I do anticipate things are only going to get worse.

It's a mistake I made 15 years ago. I sold my place in Phnom Penh and moved here.

b

[wowfactor10]

Over the years i sadly noticed Thailand became less foreigner friendly as it was before.

Also their long time political instability is becoming a weak point.

I seldom see laws being made that are protecting or helping foreigners in Thailand.Instead they make things more complicated.

Scams against foreigenrs etc seem have no top priority..So this fact tells thais that these things are okay cause they can get away with it year after year.

[northernphil]

This surely all depends on where you live. Just back from BKK and I was just another number on a ticket waiting for the bus, the hotel lift or food. Great if you are hiding out. C/Mai the same , I go there once or twice a year for the noise the smoke no one knowing me and one or two other things I can't put my finger on right now.

Where I live ,between Chiang Rai and the northern border I can't walk around T/Lotus with out bumping in to some one I know. There is one solitary pub right now as the best one shut . But in my pub I get to watch Premier League football on a big screen, if the team I support score it is chok-dees from every one in the pub. When it is voting day the locals get no alc. but I do . The boss tells the locals I am a ferlung , I don't vote so he serves me.

Oh one day I was in a foul mood ( to long winded to tell here ) I stopped outside the bank facing the wrong way. On coming out of K Bank I got a ticket, my DP taken. Next day I got my DP back , no fine as the man opposite our house is a BiB. Coincidently his wife took us to the airport for our BKK visit. Some times there are bags of fruit hanging on the gate when a local has a surplus. I taught English over 5 years to a 13yo girl round the corner, her dad now is making a bamboo gate for us and he won't take money for it. 68 yo I will be tomorrow and this is my town I hope forever.

[Nemesis7]

"So if you wish to deny this, don't bother as I can't believe you"

Dude, you just wanna hear what you wanna hear!

Have a nice life.

What's with OP's attitude man? People here are not to please you. If you don't wanna believe or hear then don't, why bother. No one is asking you to move in, you are making your own choice. Edited February 19, 2015 by Nemesis7

[chrisinth]

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In my case, 18 years of living here could be turned on it's head because of a 2 second angry glance or a 20 second confrontation with some teenager gangster wannabe.

If i was weak willed enough for this to happen. Which I'm not.

If i believed all that the global media stated about Thailand, mostly through second or third party accounts, that also could change my viewpoint. But it won't.

OP, some advice. Forget about asking questions such as in this thread because very few of the replies are going to concur (dependent on where the posters live in Thailand) and you will end up more confused than you apparently are at the moment. Spend an extended holiday here and find out for yourself.

Oh, i would also change the group of people that you are currently listening to at the minute as well........................

Your life could be turned around just as easily in some parts of the UK, US, Aussie, Eastern Europe etc etc.

Of course, I agree fully. In fact even easier in some cases.

What I was trying to put across in my post was that it is usually small events or a combination of events outside the normal which affect a person's outlook. Combine this with negative reporting from a media that is driven by the principle that bad news is better than good, and this can in many cases be a game changer for many.

I did state that I was not one of these people..............

[timmyp]

I don't have any serious struggles with racism living here on account of not being Thai. I enjoy living here.

I have been in Thailand for just over four years. I have visited on and off since 1990, and moved here at the start of 2011 . Although I have been all over Thailand, I have only lived in Bangkok. I don't work with any Thai people, which may be one reason I don't have any serious complaints.

About the comment from the guy living in Chiangmai who says that he doesn't speak Thai anymore:

I seriously question his ability to speak Thai. Like so many people here, I would guess that he learned a passable amount of basic Thai, and felt very content with himself. As he became more tuned into that fact that few people care to hear their language butchered, and that few people want to spend so much effort trying to understand someone speaking such broken Thai, he decided to blame them. Learning a language is a lot of work, and so often people who don't want to put in the effort required turn around and blame the speakers of that language as being racist.

Comparing racism in Thailand to elsehwere:

I lived in Japan for about 15 years, and I find the racism situation in Bangkok to be far better than in all the places I lived in throughout Japan. I found that in Japan, frustrating racist encounters were essentially unavoidable, and that ruled my life. I don't find that to be the case here, but again, I am speaking about Bangkok.

Racism is everywhere. People in any country generally don't like foreigners. They find them inappropriate and threatening. People everywhere say that foreigners smell bad. When you are the foreinger, it is important to understand the stereotypes that are held against you, and to be selective in who you mix with. I say the same to any foreigners in any country. If you encounter racism and ignorance, look at who you are dealing with and avoid such encounters. I believe that you can live in Bangkok and not have such encounters rule your life here.

Lastly, it's important not to confuse racism with the way people are reacting to inappropriate behavior. Many foreigners have delusions of granduer on how they expect to be treated. When they are treated with disinterest or irritation for expecting that they would be treated special, those foreigners dismiss such attitudes as racism. It's nice to get special guest treatment, but it's very egotistical to expect it.

[Luxfare]

It all depends on where you go, what your attitude is, how much you earn and how you interact with the Thai culture. I'm in my mid 30s, live in Sukhumvit area, earn decent money and usually stay around Thong Lo or Soi 11 when out socialising- no issues from me (apart from the odd drink price in the expensive bars but that's my choice). However if I lived in a rough area in say Pattaya, socialised in the seedy bars on walking street and lived on a lower salary then I'm sure my outlook would change from my current one.

I have friend who lives in Laem Chabang and he says that in the 7 years he's lived in Pattaya he's noticed that the place has went from a bit rough and ready to far far worse, as he says "more foreign morons and thugs are coming on holiday so more Thai thugs and scam artists are following them" I'm sure we all know places in our home nations that are best to stay away from- Thailand isn't any different.

P.S I'm not insinuating everyone who goes to Pattaya is a thug or moron by the way.

[bobthomas]

I am in my eleventh year CONTINUOUS living in Thailand. American, married legally and proudly to good Thai woman.

I discount immediately:

-grumpy Brits/Aussies burned out alcoholics.

-people who drop in and become instant expurts.

-men who were too ignorant to evaluate relationships early on.

-kneejerk opinions that take standards somewhere else and falsely and ignorantly apply them to Thailand.

Beyond that, OF COURSE, Thailand has changed, got Internet, etc. Too many people have formulated an idealized paradise image of Thailand as a place where they can come and be excused of any behavior and be coddled by friendly Thai people who will drag their drunken bodies from under the palm tree near the beach on to their homes and leave their wallets in their pants. This overly idealized image draws foreigners to come to what they think is a land of no responsibilities nor consequences for their dumb foreigner activities and attitudes.

If Thailand were ever that, it is not now. Now foreigners are expected to BEHAVE and pay fair prices instead of walking off with poverty level purchases. So you can expect foreigners to slag on Thailand from their persona thoughtlessl disappointments.

Heck, I resent foreigners here because they are such cultural imperialist snobs related to Thai. I saw the resentment of tourists in Hawaii from people working three crap jobs keeping the hotel pool clean and mopping up vomit. Thai must feel the same sometimes... I think everyone would.

To the questioner, I say, stay in Cambodia and pollute that place with your off balance attitudes. Your type just mucks up a great living situation we who live here and like it as it is and as it evolves realistically.

You were doing so well with your response to the OP...and then you just mess it all up and attack the poor kid, suggesting he, "pollute Cambodia with [his] off balance attitude". ??????

and as far as I know- we all post here and our views are highly subjective. A "great living situation", from an insider perspective may in all probability be the story of a person being taken advantage of at every single turn, as he is couched in Thai smiles, barely having broken through the superficiality of surface culture, as we wanders often oblivious to what is really happening behind the scenes.

Did ya ever stop to wonder why people that come to Thailand for the first time often fall head over heals for the place?

Fantasy and reality! A sober view knows the intimacies of both- he/she is neither a Thai apologist nor a neo colonial.

b

[DKNY77]

The current government is not helping the situation and they will probably make things worse before they get better. Lived all over Bangkok and was very happy. Being ripped off all depends how much you need to trust people in Thailand. If you are smart and independent, you will do fine.

Cambodia offers far easier visa regulations, and the people are less jaded than Thais. Many people play Cambodia off of Thailand and reside in both. It is possible to find two apartments, on in each country for around US$300 a month TOTAL. Now with all the foreigners being shown the door in Thailand, short term residences are cheaper than ever, so you may not even bother with a lease and pay as you go. Friend found a place in Siem Reap for US$70 a month. It is a great town too.

Just do not allow yourself to be seduced in Thailand or else where for that matter, Good luck !

I've been a teacher in Siem Reap for a year and yes the visa process is very easy. But if someone claims to have found a place for 70$ then it's a dump in the middle of nowhere , a flophouse with nothing or a guesthouse with bare essentials... They are'nt including, electric, which is often seperate.As is Cable/wifi. No hot water, minimal furnishings , if any. And shared bathroom. Some places add on trash and sewage as well.

End of March -September it can be BRUTALLY hot a fan is not going to cut it so you better have AC .And for 70$ a month...you wont.

If you do decide to spend time here and want to rent an apartment /room or whatever I suggest you use a real estate service ..I've known three people who rented thru word of ''local'' mouth or from signs in the street ...all 3 were ripped off.Thier deposits, thier belongings..etc.

For example look at angkorrealestate.com for an idea of what a decent reliable place will run you.

.

As far as SR being a ''nice town''... lol...well maybe for a week at most..I'm wrapping up my teaching contract here. And the best descriptiion I can give you about Siem Reap and Cambodia in general is to steer you toward a blog..www.travelingmark.com.. I never met him and am not an advocate of him or his blog but as a person that has lived and worked here in SR and Cambodia for the past year I have yet to read a more precise and accurate description about the country ,culture,customs and most importantly the people and how they really feel about and treat the foreighners here.*Spoiler*, it's not good.

Edited February 19, 2015 by DKNY77

[ScarpoFongness4U]

What is different is the Thai people are more debt saddled and under more stress than they were before modernization, balloon mortgages, new car buyer schemes, And inflation

They are being westernized, especially the women

Because every Thai woman must have a Louis Vuitton bag an iPhone and iPad and, the extra battery pack to go to the after noon market to buy 90 baht worth of bugs, pork and other liquids in plastic bags

[NoshowJones]

I have no problem with Thai people at all, and have found them in most cases to be decent and honest, and also helpful. The vast majority of Thai people are fine until they start driving vehicles or riding motorbikes.

[bobthomas]

The current government is not helping the situation and they will probably make things worse before they get better. Lived all over Bangkok and was very happy. Being ripped off all depends how much you need to trust people in Thailand. If you are smart and independent, you will do fine.

Cambodia offers far easier visa regulations, and the people are less jaded than Thais. Many people play Cambodia off of Thailand and reside in both. It is possible to find two apartments, on in each country for around US$300 a month TOTAL. Now with all the foreigners being shown the door in Thailand, short term residences are cheaper than ever, so you may not even bother with a lease and pay as you go. Friend found a place in Siem Reap for US$70 a month. It is a great town too.

Just do not allow yourself to be seduced in Thailand or else where for that matter, Good luck !

I've been a teacher in Siem Reap for a year and yes the visa process is very easy. But if someone claims to have found a place for 70$ then it's a dump in the middle of nowhere , a flophouse with nothing or a guesthouse with bare essentials... They are'nt including, electric, which is often seperate.As is Cable/wifi. No hot water, minimal furnishings , if any. And shared bathroom. Some places add on trash and sewage as well.

End of March -September it can be BRUTALLY hot a fan is not going to cut it so you better have AC .And for 70$ a month...you wont.

If you do decide to spend time here and want to rent an apartment /room or whatever I suggest you use a real estate service ..I've known three people who rented thru word of ''local'' mouth or from signs in the street ...all 3 were ripped off.Thier deposits, thier belongings..etc.

For example look at angkorrealestate.com for an idea of what a decent reliable place will run you.

.

As far as SR being a ''nice town''... lol...well maybe for a week at most..I'm wrapping up my teaching contract here. And the best descriptiion I can give you about Siem Reap and Cambodia in general is to steer you toward a blog..www.travelingmark.com.. I never met him and am not an advocate of him or his blog but as a person that has lived and worked here in SR and Cambodia for the past year I have yet to read a more precise and accurate description about the country ,culture,customs and most importantly the people and how they really feel about and treat the foreighners here.*Spoiler*, it's not good.

Siem Reap has become expensive over the last ten years, but Cambodia IS NOT (nor ever has been) a place that you want to go teach English. It is a place you need to fall in love with and then maybe if a you teach a few hours for extra cash that's ok.

I had a place there for over 10 years, left my doors open at night was never robbed nor ripped off.

If you leave your money on the bed in a hotel- yeah, maybe the maids will take it.

That's why as a savvy traveler/expat you should know better.

It's the third world!

You need to know the culture as well- and that it is hierarchical. You need to put yourself in a position where people would generally not be insane enough to rob you.

and as far as websites go? Most are written by people with very little real experience in country.

Save for a few like Stick BKK, Ajarn, etc.

b

[Thunderbirds20]

I have lived in Thailand almost 10 years, the first 2 and a half in Bangkok, then upcountry in Surin for 9 months, back to Bangkok for a year, then in Jomtien Beach almost 6 years. It has definitely changed since I first came here. there are many Thais that do not like us being here. They love our money, but not our us! .. but that is not true of all Thais. I felt the most animosity upcountry.

The big change seems to be in policies of the Thai Immigration Department. They have clamped down on visa alternatives. You used to be able to do border runs to renew your tourist visa, every 30 days ad infinitum, ... but then they changed that to three times then a mandatory 90 day exclusion from the country, .. then they changed the renewal period to just 15 days! Meanwhile, they are welcoming Russians and Chinese. Now, hoards of them are here, but they do olt respect Thai culture, customs, food or religion, ...which amazes me because Westerners do show respect but are not as welcome as before!

You will never see a Russian or Chinese anywhere but the beach resort towns, but you can find westerners in every part of the country!

The Thai Baht is supported to stay high in value, which also makes no sense to me. It makes their exports more expensive on the world market. Thailand used to be the number one exporter of rice. Now, it is number 3!! It also makes vacationing here much more expensive, ..another reason why there are fewer people like me here now!

So, a drop in the welcome we receive ... the influx of masses of Russians and Chinese and a strong baht are all reasons why there are fewer of us here now!

Never goet into a dispute with a Thai. You will lose! Whether in court, at the police station or on the street. There is no sense of fair play .... if you get into a physical altercation, you will be battered and beaten by several guys, all using some sort of weapon!

I would leave if I could, but I lost my life savings being kind and caring to my ex Thai wife and her family. They were great as long as I had money and lots of it was going to them, .. .but as soon as my money was gone, I was discarded like garbage! Now, my small pension does not allow me to do much of anyhing other than live day to day and hope I do noy get ill or injured because I can not even afford medical insurance.

[ToddinChonburi]

I for the most part enjoy it here, I do not live in the tourist area and the food shops are very friendly. I am from America and sometimes am guilty of thinking like an American. I am in Thailand and yes I read about the bad things but my experience has been mostly positive. The language barrier is probably the biggest problem for me but I seem to get most things done. Many young Thai's want to run when they see you come in the store.

[Jonmarleesco]

'So if you wish to deny this, don't bother because I can't believe you.' So you're only looking for viewpoints that reflect what you believe?

[Muzarella]

I am new here, not new to Thailand, and I am amazed that so many foreigners on this forum are posting so much bad report in Thai people, Thai culture, Thai Government and Thai women.

I am Italian, and I know that in my own country and in most countries I visited and worked, are very good people, and very bad people too. Scamming in Italy is not less than many other countries and Thailand. Crime neither. I was assaulted in France, the US, South America, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that was on my younger times.

When I decided to move to Chiang Mai, after retiring in Italy with a modest income, and single, I was looking into make friends and found love if lucky.

I was in my sixties. I made a lot of Thai friends, and I dated a lot, but I was not planning in get attached to a woman just because was a lot younger, beautiful, and good in bed. Other I liked, nice people, the were looking for another kind of man...and that is very OK. Few of them still my friends.

I met nice Thai families, and I got lucky that the nicest one was of the woman I liked most, and now I am married.

I stayed in Thailand for more than 2 years on a tourist visa, doing the border run, etc, because my income was not enough, and no savings to get any other kind of visa...Saying that to many women I dated, I got also a cold shoulder. Was OK too. No many women in its 40s will settled for a poor older man, or do it even for love...in most countries. Surprisingly my younger and beautiful wife did, asking her modest family to put together 800 K to help me get the retirement extension until I go into a business, and start making some money. That was 2 years ago. I started my business, with their help too.

My wife and her family is the most loving people I ever met. Thai people around our home are very friendly and helpful, even the police officers that knows that I am driving the motorbike without driver license. And I do not live isolated in the countryside. One of them, a high officer, even gave me his phone number if I have any kind of problems on the road. I do not speak Thai.

And I know that I am not the only "lucky". We have many couples friends, farang-Thai, having a wonderful and peaceful life, not changing their lives in Thailand for any other. Some others don't got so lucky, but.....that's is OK too. Happens anywhere.

[Afook]

It doesn't matter where you are or live, in Thailand or another country!

You give and show respect, and you shall receive it back........whether in your own country or someone's elses.

Don't live in another country and complain about this and that, if you do......go back home to live and complain there!. :-)

[Songlaw]

how serious is this resentment of foreigners

On a day to day basis the vast, vast majority of Thais don't give us a second thought. They're too busy getting on with their own lives.

On occasion I've met some foreigners who say stuff like "Thais hate us" etc. and after 5 minutes in their company I have to commend the locals for their astuteness. They don't hate us mate. They hate you.

Over the course of my long time here naturally I've encountered Thais who obviously don't like westerners but on the whole they've either treated me pretty well or with complete indifference.

Agreed, fully. I think that part of the problem with expats residing here in Thailand is that many choose to equate indifference with resentment. That is a problematic and inaccurate perception. I long ago shed the need to be liked. However, I will always need to be left alone by anyone who does not find me to their liking. And that is the worst that Thai society usually offers all except the most egregious among us. Indifference. Which is an inherently neutral state. Meaning, unlike our respective homelands, no one here is going to actively seek to ruin your day. Unless of course, you have it coming. As in every aspect of life, conduct will, for the most part, dictate the quality.

[tuonsai]

"So if you wish to deny this, don't bother as I can't believe you"

Dude, you just wanna hear what you wanna hear!

Have a nice life.

What's with OP's attitude man? People here are not to please you. If you don't wanna believe or hear then don't, why bother. No one is asking you to move in, you are making your own choice.

Sorry didn't mean to offend, I just wrote this so as not to debate whether Thailand has become worse of not,

because that's not what I'm interested in. I know for a fact it has become worse than it used to be for foreigners in general and

you can read it in numerous places, but what I trust is people who've been living there for 3-10 years, who

I personally meet, sit down with for a few beers, and they all tell me basically the same thing. This does not mean Thailand is bad,

it's still heaven compared to some countries, where you have police states and most people consider you an old man once you reach 40,

you have to deal with harsh winters, failing economies, etc.

I'm quite sure Thailand is still one of the best countries in the world (if you're not rich that is), that's why I'm interested in moving there. I'm just worried about the

negative changes and how this will play out in the future. Whether I should focus on Cambodia or invest my time and effort in Thailand.

We just have one life (except the thais and cats of course who reincarnate) so if we make a decision there's always an opportunity cost. If I spend 2-3 years learning thai and then come away jaded

like many others, then I'll probably regret having spent those 2-3 years of my "not so youth anymore". That's why I'm curious about your opinions

on this. I know noone can help me make a decision, because that's very personal, but your stories do help a lot, so Thanks!

Edited February 19, 2015 by tuonsai

[JingerBen]

I think there is a mutual lack of respect. made worse by TATs habit of combining Tourist numbers with sums of Money. In my opinion giving the impression that they are only interested in Tourists for one reason , Money.

I live in a quiet part of Thailand and we sometimes go to Pattaya to see old friends and I play 7s football in Phuket once a year. I really notice the different attitude of Thai's in the tourist areas. Where possibly because of Farang behavior the Thais seem to look at tourist with a kind of contempt and only tolerate their presence for the money they make from them

People who come here just to get shit faced and pull women don't do the farangs image much good , but that's what many come for and I'm sure we've all had our day

I have no problem living here apart from the normal annoyances when trying to get things done , but I find the Tourist areas awful

Spot on.

Avoid Bangkok and the tourist areas and your life will be much better here.

[CharlieH]

As the saying goes, location location location. The image and feedback you get from a bar fly in Pattaya, wont be the same as an Office worker in Bangkok, nor will it match someone in the foothills of Chiang Mai.

Couple all of that with how people perceive there environment, half glass full or half empty and you have another endless permutation.

I have lived here in rural Thailand 10 years, its peaceful quiet and the only thing I can say has changed is the number of "ferangs" that now live here. The influx of larger stores and supermarkets. The Thai people themselves, for the most part remain friendly, courteous and pleasant.

The areas you have quoted are all heavy traffic tourist areas, and you have to ask are the people there like that because of the Thais, are have the Thais been tarnished by the tourist/foreigners and there behaviour and are now reaping what they have sewn.

You cant compare chalk and cheese, and thats what you seem to be trying to do. Neither can you reasonably asses an entire country on just a handful of tourist areas or cities.

Go seek and spend time in the "real" Thailand and you will probably discover why the Expat population is exploding here.

[arthurwait]

Your experience with a bargirl, they are only there for the money nothing else that's all they want.

Many are doing it because they are drug addicts and need money for another hit and/or pay the dealer or loan shark. Since the army came in there has been drug tests in the well known tourist areas and the numbers of girls has plummeted. Don't judge a nation of people on your experience with a highly likely drug dependant prostitute.

As for the rest, there is a wide range of education and people in this country with many very low educated people, racists tend to be low educated people. You also have to remember that Thais are taught they are very important and intelligent, many of those that don't leave the country actually believe this and think they can out smart anyone especially foreigners. There are also many people here who don't act like this.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

"When things are going badly, foreigners are usually to blame."

This is the usual government propaganda used in every country of the world throughout history.

Sometimes they replace 'foreigners' with 'racial group' or 'religious group'.

In Thailand, things aren't going too well at the moment, and likely to get worse, it's your fault.

Same as in the UK, USA, Germany, Uganda ...............

[bazza40]

You can be ripped off just as easily and with as much contempt by falangs; some are making a good living out of doing it.

My experience ( Chiang Mai resident ) is if you behave with good manners and ask for help if necessary, you are treated politely. The majority of Thais I've encountered seemed to be pleased I can speak some Thai.

Let me suggest some of the Thai attitudes encountered by posters on this forum could be examples of self-fulfilling prophecies. It's a bit difficult for a Thai to respect falangs if they are treading all over his/her cultural mores.

[tom21]

I have found Thailand ok with no major problems. if I did I would no longer be living here

[Shaunduhpostman]

OP, I think you mostly sum up how I see it after mostly living here since 1999. Things have gone downhill a lot, but I think it is not just for foreigners, as Thailand develops the squeeze on the average Thai intensifies and people are less and less happy and have more serious problems. Those problems will get vented on you and all and sundry.

That said, compared to life in an American city and probably most cities in other developed countries, whatever problems we might find living in Thailand are not as serious.Not even close. I grew up in Los Angeles and had to fear and experience verbal and physical assaults, sometimes serious, entirely from complete strangers 3-4 times per year. I was lucky nothing serious ever happened to me in 30 plus years though I learned to maintain vigilance and develop my trouble is coming radar. Other than that It is a complete waste of energy what people have to live through in urban areas, the violence and abuse and hassles and a tragedy the way many have to come up in the west.

In Thailand, if you don't push your agenda, back down and get away asap from the rare case where someone has lost face or sees you as their easy touch quick hit for maximum cash, you will not likely have any serious problems even in Bangkok or Pattaya and probably Phuket tho I don't know, only went there once in 2000 and never again, was not a particularly pleasant place even then. The danger comes from people with authority here, or simply when people perceive that they have authority or control over you, such as immigration, employers, business partners, police, doctors, marriage partners, girlfriends, Thai co-workers even restaurants and shops who often see customers not deserving an iota of respect and as being there to use and abuse. However, If you limit your interactions with these types, avoid putting yourself in the hands of others or asking or even trying to buy what you need and remain aware of the potential problems that can easily develop and leave/terminate those situations immediately upon being abused you can minimize trouble. Get something you didn't order? I have stopped complaining, I just leave the food untouched get up and go to the cashier pay up and leave, never go back. Ditto for anything else, I just quietly leave everything where it was and go. I feel better, the message probably gets across and no one gets mad at me for objecting.

Ditto about people away from tourist areas (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, etc.) still being pleasant and basically sweet, just don't expect much of them and you'll be fine.

[kevvy]

I live in Chiang Rai and all the Thai neighbours are so friendly , dropping off food and just giving a smile. I was in my home country not long ago and couldn't wait to get back to Chiang Rai.

[hdkane]

The reputation is well deserved. Every interaction is threaded with the Thai's intent to part me from my money. I've met very few Thais that did not lie to me, or try to borrow money. Most of the men steal and lie. Most of the women cheat and lie. Usually, both are bad parents. If I did not have a significan other, I would leave. However, I'm determined to make a good future for someone that I love. If this relationship were to end, i'd quite likely leave as soon as I could do so. Let's not be politically correct or stupidly polite. Most of us came here short-time for the party. We stayed because we found someone for whom we developed deep affection. Not a love of Thai cullture.